Union Terminal

Cincinnati Union Terminal

Cincinnati Union Terminal was a significant development in the history of Cincinnati transportation. One of the last great train stations built, Union Terminal is a Cincinnati icon and one of the most widely regarded examples of the Art Deco style. Since its opening in 1933, Union Terminal has had a long and storied history, from welcoming soldiers home from World War II to becoming the home of three museums, an OMNIMAX® Theater and the Cincinnati History Library and Archives. (Click here to read library articles about Union Terminal.)

After you pick your jaw up off the floor from admiring the largest half-dome in the western hemisphere, ask a member of guest services about the magical whispering fountains. Spend some time admiring the intricate details and stories of the Winold Reiss mosaics and visit Tower A, the original control tower of Union Terminal. Be sure to pick up a sweet treat in the Rookwood-tiled ice cream parlor before heading outside to enjoy it next to the fountain with a unique view of downtown Cincinnati.

When it opened in 1933, Cincinnati Union Terminal was widely hailed as an artistic, architectural, and organizational marvel. Learn about the fascinating history of Union Terminal during its years as a passenger rail station.

When rail traffic went into decline, the Cincinnati Union Terminal Company, and later the City of Cincinnati, looked for ways to preserve and reuse the building. Read about some of the proposed alternatives, from offices to museums.

Opening in 1990, Cincinnati Museum Center has made its home in historic Union Terminal. Working with regional officials, we work to preserve and protect this Cincinnati landmark. Learn about how Museum Center came to be here and our efforts to save this magnificent structure for current and future generations.